Brussels is the capital of 500 million Europeans and one of the very important places for decision-making and debate. But Brussels has been for me a metropolis with a personal touch. It offers a warm welcome whether you come for business, culture, leisure or to get away from it all. In this global and multicultural city that is both historical and modern, a meeting point of North and South where the differences are maintained yet meld together harmoniously I have been looking for a

A weekend Maasmechelen only ideal for shopping addicts? Think again! My mission is pretty simple: I am going to discover Maasmechelen beyond the shopping paradise! Let’s explore natural parks, water sports, local products and mouth-watering Italian dishes.
Nature, water and hills
The highlight of natural highlights is without any doubt the National Park Hoge Kempen, the 60 square kilometers nature reserve in East Limburg between Genk and the Meuse River. Located in Maasmechelen, Connecterra is one of the six gateways to National Park Hoge Kempen. It

The Terhills Hotel Maasmechelen, part of the Different Hotels group, is a 4 stars hotel in a historic mine building. Located between Maasmechelen village and National Park Connecterra, it’s an ideal base to discover Maasmechelen during a weekend. The charming lady at the reception told me that the hotel aims to offer a cocktail of fashion, nature and comfort… and that’s exactly what we discovered during a sunny September weekend.
Terhills hotel
As you walk through the beautiful French garden with its fountain and blooming flowers,

Travelling so much around the globe, we tend to forget that we have beautiful cultural heritage just around the corner! Located on a 30 minutes drive from both Antwerp and Brussels, Mechelen is known for its medieval architecture and scenic canals. If I had to describe Mechelen in three words, they would be authentic, charming and picturesque. Thanks to the many classified buildings, the city has an outspoken historical character. Interesting fact: since the last couple of years many hipster hotspots have been appearing

Martin’s Patershof is a former church transformed into a 4 stars luxury hotel in the heart of Mechelen, right in between Antwerp and Brussels. This Belgian hotel group accepted the major challenge to preserve the past and at the same time meet the expectations of today’s demanding travelers. And they succeeded. After an impressive metamorphosis, they now offer an out-of-the-ordinary stay in an exclusive historic setting.
Gazing up at the church’s beautiful façade, I immediately notice the sound of clinking glasses inside. As I walk

The Holy Food Market in Ghent opened its door this weekend. It’s the second food market in Belgium and inspired by food markets in Barcelona, Copenhagen and Rotterdam. Fancy street food is hot at the moment. Michelin star chefs are opening luxury French fry shacks and serving ** hot dogs. So what in God’s name can you expect from the Holy Food Market in Ghent (pun intended)?
What to expect?
As I entered the Holy Food Market, I was pleasantly surprised by its unique setting. The

Sushi, or cold boiled rice with raw seafood in bite-size pieces, is Japanese food that has evolved from ‘sush-what?’ to one of the most popular lunch and dinner options, for both a normal household buying it in the supermarket to Kim Kardashian eating it in a sky bar in New York. You can find it anywhere, in big cities and small towns, and if you don’t want to go outside, you can have it delivered. Sushi is booming! And if you’re looking for a

Who does not know Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady or the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom)? Instead of writing about Antwerp’s most fabulous places, I decided to give you a glimpse of the hidden gems in Belgium’s second largest city. After having lived 27 years in the historical city center, it is about time to guide you to the places that remain hidden for the average tourist and even for most of the city’s inhabitants. Feel free to add to this list! Always curious